BEYOND NEOCOLONIALISM: SINO-AFRICAN RELATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 140 - 165, 30.07.2025

Habib Badawi

https://doi.org/10.58851/africania.1673162

Abstract

The burgeoning relationship between China and Africa stands as one of the most significant geopolitical developments of the 21st century, reshaping global power dynamics and offering new paradigms for South-South cooperation. This study delves into the multifaceted nature of Sino-African relations, moving beyond reductive narratives of neocolonialism or unalloyed mutual benefit to provide a nuanced analysis of this complex and evolving partnership. Through a multidisciplinary theoretical framework, we examine China's economic, political, and cultural engagement with Africa, exploring its implications for global power structures and African development trajectories.
Our research investigates the intricate web of trade patterns, investment trends, and aid mechanisms that characterize China's economic presence in Africa, while also scrutinizing the institutional frameworks, such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), that shape these interactions. We address critiques of China's approach, from concerns over debt sustainability to environmental degradation, while also highlighting instances of African agency and the potential for mutually beneficial outcomes. By synthesizing diverse perspectives and empirical data, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by China's growing influence in Africa, providing valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders navigating this pivotal geopolitical relationship.

Keywords

Sino-African relations , neocolonialism , globalization , soft power , economic development , geopolitics , South-South cooperation.

Ethical Statement

This research complies with all applicable ethical guidelines for academic scholarship. No human subjects were involved in this study, as it relies on qualitative meta-analysis of existing published literature, official documents, and publicly available data sources. All sources have been properly cited and acknowledged throughout the manuscript, with appropriate attribution given to original authors and institutions. The comparative analysis of different national approaches to Africa has been conducted with objectivity and fairness, avoiding bias in the assessment of policy frameworks and implementation strategies. Care has been taken to present multiple perspectives on contentious issues, particularly regarding the comparative analysis of different external powers' engagement with African nations. The author declares no conflicts of interest that could have influenced the findings, analysis, or conclusions presented in this manuscript. No financial support that might constitute a conflict of interest was received for conducting this research.

Supporting Institution

None

Yeni Sömürgeciliğin Ötesinde: 21'inci Yüzyılda Çin-Afrika İlişkileri

Abstract

The burgeoning relationship between China and Africa stands as one of the most significant geopolitical developments of the 21st century, reshaping global power dynamics and offering new paradigms for South-South cooperation. This study delves into the multifaceted nature of Sino-African relations, moving beyond reductive narratives of neocolonialism or unalloyed mutual benefit to provide a nuanced analysis of this complex and evolving partnership. Through a multidisciplinary theoretical framework, we examine China's economic, political, and cultural engagement with Africa, exploring its implications for global power structures and African development trajectories.
Our research investigates the intricate web of trade patterns, investment trends, and aid mechanisms that characterize China's economic presence in Africa, while also scrutinizing the institutional frameworks, such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), that shape these interactions. We address critiques of China's approach, from concerns over debt sustainability to environmental degradation, while also highlighting instances of African agency and the potential for mutually beneficial outcomes. By synthesizing diverse perspectives and empirical data, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by China's growing influence in Africa, providing valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders navigating this pivotal geopolitical relationship.

Keywords

Sino-African relations , neocolonialism , globalization , soft power , economic development , geopolitics , South-South cooperation.

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